American Buckle Magazine 2023 World Finals Edition

Page 1



WELCOME LETTER

WELCOME A

s rodeo patrons gather in Las Vegas for the

upset

the

top-ranked

65th anniversary of the PRCA’s Wrangler

Austin

NFR, the vibe couldn’t be any more electric.

a

As for the athletes, this is the “BIG SHOW.”

came down to one of

Gamblers

in

event

that

finale

Young cowboys and cowgirls dream of competing at the

the

NFR from the moment they get their first rope. As the

showdowns

competition heats up, we’ll find out who’s got ice in their

history. We look back

veins and is ready to take home that gold buckle.

and highlight all the most

In this edition, we start with an all-new, all-star rodeo team put together by the folks over at Certified Agriculture Group. Led by team captain and bareback rider Leighton

biggest

Big-Tex in

rodeo

significant moments from the spectacular event. Bareback rider Kaycee

Berry, the team includes barrel racer Jackie Ganter, bull

Feild

rider Clayton Sellars, breakaway Jordan Jo Hollabaugh,

shockwaves in the rodeo

recently

caused

and steer roper and tie-down roper Taylor Santos. We

world when he announced his intention to retire from bareback.

sit down with CEO Pat Driscoll as he shares his vision

His career with the PRCA spans 16 years, and throughout his time

of the Ag Truck Trader Rodeo Team and discusses the

with the organization, he has proven himself to be among one of

company’s 150 Ag Certified dealer program, which

rodeo’s all-time greats. We look at the six-time world champion

benefits farmers and ranchers and helps serve their most

and thirteen-time NFR qualifier’s impressive career, which will

pressing truck needs.

surely land him in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in the future.

Shad Mayfield and Shelby Boisjoli are two athletes who

Sam Houston State University has leaped forward in rodeo

sit at the top of their respective rodeo sports. But after NFR

sports, education, and community engagement by unveiling

audiences caught a glimpse of a commercial campaign

the state-of-the-art Sonny Sikes Arena. The unveiling marked a

featuring both star ropers, the two began turning heads

historic moment for the SHSU Rodeo Team and Walker County,

and garnering attention for something beyond their talents

and we cover how this multifaceted facility nestled on Gibbs

in the arena: their acting! Mayfield and Boisjoli proudly

Ranch is poised to produce top-ranked rodeo athletes for years.

represent Twisted X, a leader in Western footwear, and

As the 2023 year ends, we at American Buckle Magazine want

the duo’s 2022 NFR commercial appearances received

to thank all our sponsors and advertisers for a wonderful year. It’s

boisterous laughs as they showcased their antics in the

partners like you who make us a great success. And, as always,

Wacky Wild West. The plot thickens this year, and we sit

thank you to the entire American Buckle team, which works

down with both athletes for the inside scoop on this year’s

tirelessly to bring together the best magazine in rodeo.

campaign and their outlook on competing at this year’s NFR and NFBR.

Blessings,

The end of October saw the conclusion of the second

Chris Dize

annual PBR Teams Championship. The Texas Rattlers

Publisher

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

3


TABLE OF CONTENTS

INSIDE TWISTED X’S NFR CAMPAIGN FEATURE pg. 20

AG TRUCK TRADER PRO RODEO TEAM...................................................8 PRCA BAREBACK RIDERS........................................................................16 TWISTED X’S NFR AD CAMPAIGN..........................................................20 PRCA TIE DOWN ROPERS........................................................................28 PRCA BULL RIDERS...................................................................................31 PBR TEAMS: TEXAS RATTLERS WIN TITLE...........................................34 PBR TEAM PROFILES...............................................................................42 KAYCEE FEILD HANGS UP HIS HAT........................................................50

KAYCEE FEILD RETIRES pg. 50

PRCA TEAM ROPING HEADERS..............................................................58 PRCA TEAM ROPING HEELERS...............................................................61 SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY.......................................................64 WPRA BARREL RACERS...........................................................................72 WPRA BREAKAWAY ROPERS...................................................................75 PRCA SADDLE BRONC RIDERS...............................................................78 PRCA STEER WRESTLERS.......................................................................81

4

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3



MASTHEAD

1 Source Media, LLC 1524 South Prescott Avenue Clearwater, Florida 33756 Phone: (972) 740-9008 Email: info@americanbucklemagazine.com Website: www.americanbucklemagazine.com Follow us on social media: Facebook & Instagram @americanbucklemagazine President & Publisher: Chris Dize Graphic Design: Jon Pharr & Big Wolf Designs Senior Writer & Editor: Whitney Meers Contributing photos as follows: Photos Courtesy of the PRCA Photos Courtesy of WPRA Photos Courtesy of PBR Credited Photographer: Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media Copies available for purchase at: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Books-A-Million

PRINTED IN THE USA Reproduction of any part of this publication in part or whole without written permission of American Buckle Magazine(ABM) is strictly prohibited. © 2023, all rights reserved. All advertisements and/or editorials are accepted by ABM on the representation that the advertiser, its advertising company and/or the supplier of the editorials are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser, its advertising company and/or the supplier of the editorial will defend, indemnify and hold ABM harmless from any liability resulting from any claims or suits led for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism, copyright, or trademark infringement and any other claims or suits that may rise out of publication of any such advertisements and/ or editorials.

6

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

Press releases are expressly covered within the definition of editorials. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from American Buckle Magazine. Readers are advised that use of the information contained is at their own risk. ABM assumes no responsibility for unsolicited editorial, photography or art submissions. In addition, no Terms and Conditions agreements for either solicited or unsolicited photography submissions are recognized by American Buckle Magazine unless signed and returned by the editor.


Dings, scratches and scars.

When the buzzer sounds, most cowboys end up with a few dings and scratches. Sometimes they’re an easy fix. Sometimes they leave scars. It’s the same with trucks. Sometimes you fix them and sometimes the scars let you tell a good story one more time. So, when your truck needs patching up, let us know. Because every cowboy needs a ride he can rely on. Get your FREE CATALOG at LMCTruck.com

Chevy/GMC 1947-13 Ford 1948-16 Dodge 1972-15

LMCTruck.com 800.562.8782

"KEEPING GENERATIONS ON THE ROAD"®


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

8

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


Photo: Phil Doyle

W

hen PRCA bareback rider and threetime NFR qualifier Leighton Berry first heard that the Certified Agriculture Group CEO Pat Driscoll was looking to do something big in the rodeo industry, the 24-year-old athlete from Weatherford, Texas, was immediately intrigued. Ag Truck Trader wanted to shake up the usual sponsor-athlete dynamic, Berry learned, and the company would do it in a big way. Whatever it was, Berry knew he wanted to get in on the ground floor. He sought out Driscoll, and once the two got together, it was clear something special was brewing. “We started conversating about putting together a rodeo team for Ag Truck Trader, and everything just kind of took from there,” Berry says. Driscoll sought to build a world-class team not only by finding rodeo athletes who were at the top of the leaderboards but who also genuinely reflected a team focus honoring Ag Truck Trader’s values of passion, faith, and an overall emphasis on doing good things. “We had a long conversation with Leighton,” Driscoll says, “We talked with him about the vision. We had shared with him that we wanted him to be our team captain if he thought that this was something he’d be interested in working with us on. He didn’t hesitate with me. He immediately began seeing things, and the word he brought forward was ‘unity.”

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

9


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE Photo: Phil Doyle

Unity is an underlying theme not just in a team composition, but it’s also at the heart of Certified Ag Group’s business. Before the formation of the Certified Agriculture Group, there was little a farmer or rancher could do to confirm a dealer in their region had ag-specific expertise. So, Driscoll and the team sought a way to bridge this gap while providing opportunities to make buying and selling agriculture trucks a seamless experience. The team developed the Certified Agriculture Dealer training program, acting as a public seal of approval to ensure any certified dealer has the qualifications to address farmers’ and ranchers’ most pressing truck needs. As a value add, the team worked with partners throughout the ag industry to develop AgPack, which offers more than $30,000 in discounts and savings on other farming and ranching necessities simply for working with a Certified Agriculture Dealer. Ag Truck Trader’s rodeo team would reflect that ethos. It would be comprised of rodeo personalities who not only excelled in the arena but brought something extra special to the table. For Driscoll, this meant a team that would function as a family, working together to rally fans and communities in a manner that falls far beyond the typical sponsorship relationship.

10

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

And, as the team leader, Ag Truck Trader’s foray into rodeo on the ground floor was an opportunity Berry wouldn’t take lightly. He worked with the folks at Ag Truck Trader to carefully hand-select rodeo athletes who aspired to collaborate in a manner that reflects the company’s values. “Typically rodeo athletes’ sponsor deals involve what you’re asking for out of them, and what they need from you, and maybe how much you might get paid or what you might do with that company,” Berry says. “But with Ag Truck Trader, we’ve been able to sit down and have meetings and crucially pick who’s going to be a part of the team. We want to be sure the team members share the same goals. We all obviously all want to be world champions, and we’re all striving to do that. But we also all have big beliefs in our faith. It’s been a great process thus far.”


LEIGHTON BERRY BAREBACK RIDER

HE DIDN’T HESITATE WITH ME. HE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SEEING THINGS, AND THE WORD HE BROUGHT FORWARD WAS ‘UNITY’. -Pat Driscoll on Leighton

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

11


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

JACKIE GANTER BARREL RACER

The team’s all-star lineup includes barrel racer Jackie Ganter, bull rider Clayton Sellars, breakaway roper Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, and steer roper and tie-down roper Taylor Santos. Not only are each of these cowboys and cowgirls powerhouses within their respective domains, but they also firmly represent the values of the Ag Truck Trader family. “They’re a very sophisticated team,” Berry says. “We share the same goals, and we want to spread awareness and do good things.” The Ag Truck Trader rodeo team embodies that spirit of unity in a nutshell: people coming together to build something greater than the sum of its parts. Case-in-point: Ag Truck Trader’s forthcoming Ag Rally presented by John Deere, which will take place to celebrate Ag Day on March 19, 2024. 12

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

CLAYTON SELLARS Bull Rider

AgRally is a “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” marathon-style event that celebrates the hard work, passion, and dedication of the members of the agriculture community. During the event, people across the country can tune in to watch the members of the Ag Truck Trader rodeo team interacting with fans and celebrating their accomplishments in the arena. And, for this year’s festivities, viewers can expect a special performance from a country music icon whose identity will be revealed in the coming weeks. People nationwide can also attend live farm show-style events at more than 150 Ag Certified dealers. Driscoll even says there will be cameras on the ground at some locations, with live check-ins to celebrate the activities at dealerships, many of which will have their own AgRally festivities for attendees.


JORDAN JO HOLLABAUGH

TAYLOR SANTOS

While the event is undoubtedly a celebration of unity within the agricultural and rodeo communities, it also allows rodeo fans to give back by simply supporting the athletes they love and admire. Ahead of this year’s event, each of the Ag Truck Trader team members has selected a charity organization that represents something meaningful to them. Leading up to AgRally, fans can vote for their favorite athlete and associated charity. During AgRally, the team will announce the winning charity, which will take home a major donation on behalf of the Ag Truck Trader and additional sponsor charities. But Driscoll suggests events like the team’s participation in the AgRally charity initiative are only the very beginning of what fans can expect from the team. He assures rodeo fans that there’s still much more to come.

“We’re coming up with some crazy good ideas,” Driscoll says, “You’re going to see this team doing some amazing things that other athletes are going to look at and go, ‘How do I become a part of this?’”

Breakaway Roper

STEER & TIE-DOWN ROPER

WAYS TO SUPPORT! 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

13


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

CELEBRATE AG DAY AND SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE WITH AG TRUCK TRADER Each Ag Truck Trader team member has selected a charity to support, with voting open at Ag Truck Trader through March 1. The team will announce the winning charity during Ag Rally, which is presented by John Deere and will air as a nine-hour broadcast on the Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV on March 19, 2024. The Trenten Montero Foundation (Leighton Berry): Founded to honor the life of bareback rider Trenten Montero, the charity supports widows and children of rodeo professionals who have passed away due to injuries sustained in connection with rodeo sports.

Careity (Jackie Gartner): A Texas nonprofit providing direct care that saves lives, gives hope, eases pain, and allows cancer patients and families to focus on healing. www.careity.org Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund (Clayton Sellars): Provides need-based financial assistance to athletes injured through their participation in professional rodeo. www.justincowboycrisisfund.org The Huntsman Foundation (Jordan Jo Hollabaugh): A Utah-based charity committed to pushing the boundaries of cancer research and discovering more potential cancer cures. www.healthcare.utah.edu/ huntsmancancerinstitute/foundation/ways-to-give Golden Circle of Champions (Taylor Santos): Raising awareness and funds to help children battling pediatric cancer. www.goldencircleofchampions.com

Fans also have the option to select another charity to win the prize money, so members of the agriculture community with ties to other charities that represent Ag Truck Trader’s values are encouraged to submit their entries for consideration. Rodeo fans can further support their favored charities using the team’s QR code to register for their free AgPack ID, free for anyone involved in an agriculture enterprise. Members of the ag community can learn more about local, in-person Ag Day events at AgTruckTrader.com. To learn more about the team, follow Ag Truck Trader on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AgTruckTrader) and Instagram (@agtrucktrader). •

14

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3



PRCA BAREBACK RIDERS

KEENAN

HAYES PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 0 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $265,896 AGE: 20 MEMBER SINCE: 2022 HOMETOWN: HAYDEN, CO

#1 16

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA BAREBACK RIDERS

CLAYTON

BIGLOW PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 1 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 7 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $162,738 AGE: 27 MEMBER SINCE: 2015 HOMETOWN: CLEMENTS, CA

#2 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

17


PRCA BAREBACK RIDERS

KADE

SONNIER PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 0 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $160,469 AGE: 24 MEMBER SINCE: 2022 HOMETOWN: CARENCRO, LA

#3 18

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3



EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

20

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


The fan-favorite ropers will revive their Old West personas in Twisted X’s highly-anticipated 2023 NFR commercial. PRESENTED BY

A

d campaigns are nothing new at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), But in 2022, all eyes were on Twisted X after the team revealed an Old West commercial series that caused waves of laughter among the boisterous crowd. Commercials featuring 2020 World Champion tie-down roper and five-time NFR qualifier Shad Mayfield and breakaway superstar Shelby Boisjoli were a highlight of the event, putting the two ropers at the front and center of an effort that highlighted their skills and comradery with a healthy dose of humor to boot. For the audience, it was a delightful surprise to see these rodeo athletes as actors in Twisted X’s series of off-thewall commercials. But as the footwear company’s name implies, it is famously known for adding a signature twist to anything it does, be it using upcycled plastic to produce top-quality footwear or integrating cutting-edge comfort technologies into every pair of boots it makes. The commercial campaign was no exception, and the team’s talented writers and cast delivered a hilarious series of videos that brought the house down. Now, Twisted X, which leads the pack in developing top-quality footwear using various eco-friendly materials, is ready to wow fans again with an all-new ad during this year’s NFR. Rodeo lovers will again see Mayfield and Boisjoli represent the brand with another unforgettable Old West-inspired commercial spot that will leave fans rolling on the ground with laughter.

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

21


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

Twisted X: A Footwear Company Unlike Any Other To both Mayfield and Boisjoli, Twisted X is much more than just a footwear brand. “I just love the Twisted X family. And it is a family. They’re the best company ever to work with,” says Boisjoli, who will head into the WPRCA’s National Finals of Breakaway Roping (NFBR) in the number one spot. The two ropers truly do embody that spirit of family. They’re not afraid to work hard, but that also means they get to play hard. Twisted X’s commercial campaigns are a fine example of where working hard and playing hard collide, giving these rodeo athletes a chance to showcase their talents in a manner that elevates each of their profiles while entertaining the masses. “I think doing this kind of work is a lot more fun than just doing a regular photo shoot like I’ve always done,” says Mayfield. “Doing commercials is kind of a new thing. You have more fun doing it. And there’s always a story behind it. The biggest part is, I can’t wait until they get that commercial put together and I finally get to see it at the NFR.” Within the world of Western fashion and apparel, it’s a deviation from the norm to write, shoot, produce, and edit a series of comedic commercials. That’s why Twisted X works so hard to ensure the resulting commercials are as solid as possible. They feature beautiful cinematography and intricate backdrops. Fans won’t be disappointed with the effort the team and the athletes put into this year’s NFR commercial. Mayfield anticipates fans will be excited to see what the Twisted X team has cooked up. “This year, going into it, I had no idea what to expect — I don’t know anything until I get there — but I knew it was definitely going to be something cool,” he says. Spectators can expect another hilarious take on the Old West lifestyle, similar to the company’s previous show-stopping efforts. For example, “The Good, the Bad, and the Uncomfortable” features Mayfield and Boisjoli ready to engage in a toe-to-toe showdown before being interrupted by townspeople who can’t stop talking about how much their feet hurt. Rather than ending in a duel, the 22

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

two ultimately join a town-wide celebration after explaining to the townies that they need footwear that features Twisted X’s Tech X technology. There’s also “The Boys of Jolly,” a play on frequent mispronunciations of Boisjoli’s last name (pronounced “BOSGE-lee,” as she clarifies in the spot). She then shows off her roping skills, leaving her embarrassed would-be nemesis in his boxer shorts. And, then, of course, there’s “The Legend of Money,” where a future Mayfield explains to his young grandson why folks call him “Money.” It turns out Mayfield’s roping skills


THE BIGGEST PART IS, I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THEY GET THAT COMMERCIAL PUT TOGETHER AND I FINALLY GET TO SEE IT AT THE NFR. -SHAD MAYFIELD

came in handy in catching a bank robber. Now, if only he’d tell fans what happened to all that money. “People ask me all the time, ‘What did happen to the money?’ And that brings back a cool memory,” Mayfield says. “Because every time someone says that, it just goes back to that shoot we did with Twisted X. I always pull up the video and watch it again because it’s pretty cool. But I want to know the same thing — what happened to the money? Maybe with one of the commercials, we’ll figure out where it all went.”

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

23


The commercials are funny and highlight the athletes by tailoring the roles and storyline specifically to them. Though neither is a trained actor, both shine on the screen. Mayfield is effortlessly hilarious, and Boisjoli’s humorous cowgirl persona makes her as captivating on the screen as she is in the arena. “I think they’re funny, and I think that the airtime they got for Twisted X was great,” Boisjoli says of last year’s commercials. “They got a lot of exposure, so I think that was awesome for us and the brand. It’s a good laugh and gets people talking, but they’re not trying too hard to be, like, ‘Buy Twisted X boots!’ It’s just a funny little commercial. I think it’s a standout because of how they go about it.” Mayfield has already let it drop that the storyline for this year’s commercial builds off of what transpired last year. “It’s a pretty awesome thing to be a part of,” he says. But ultimately, it’s all about the boots. Mayfield and Boisjoli strongly believe in the company’s mission of creating high-quality products using sustainable methods and natural materials. Their passion for the brand shows their excitement and willingness to arrive on set and lend their talents to make a knockout commercial.

24

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

I JUST LOVE THE TWISTED X FAMILY. AND IT IS A FAMILY. THEY’RE THE BEST COMPANY EVER TO WORK WITH. -SHELBY BOISJOLI


WATCH OUR VIDEOS BY SCANNING THE QR CODE!

25

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

Working Toward that Coveted World Champion Title Mayfield has once again qualified for the NFR this year, and Boisjoli is in a prime position to take it all as the breakaway roper leads in earnings ahead of the NFBR. “I would love to win the world title this year, but one calf at a time. And I think that being able to rope ten and hit the barrier and catch ten is kind of my goal,” Boisjoli says. “I’ll just try to do the best that I can,” says Mayfield. “I always try to set pretty big goals for myself. You know, I go in trying to win a gold buckle. So that’s kind of my plan.” Boisjoli offers solid advice for those looking to follow in her footsteps and carve their path to greatness in whatever a person chooses to do. “Find something that you love to do, and go after it,” she says. “Put 110% into everything that you do.” Mayfield echoes the sentiment. “Work hard and follow your dreams,” he says. “I like to set big goals. If you don’t set goals for yourself, then I don’t see the point of doing something. You’ve got to set a goal to be able to strive to achieve that goal. Always have big dreams for yourself, and work hard to make them happen.” •

26

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


Experience ultimate cowboy comfort as worn by our NFR and NFBR qualifying athletes, Shad Mayfield and Shelby Boisjoli. Our revolutionary patented CellStretch® Comfort Technology is now engineered in traditional western profiles.


PRCA TIE-DOWN ROPERS

RILEY

WEBB PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 1 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $280,405 AGE: 20 MEMBER SINCE: 2021 HOMETOWN: DENTON, TX

#1 28

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA TIE-DOWN ROPERS

SHAD

MAYFIELD PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 1 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 4 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $206,604 AGE: 23 MEMBER SINCE: 2018 HOMETOWN: CLOVIS, NM

#2 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

29


PRCA TIE-DOWN ROPERS

HAVEN

MEGED PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 1 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 4 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $195,068 AGE: 25 MEMBER SINCE: 2018 HOMETOWN: MILES CITY, MT

#3 30

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA BULL RIDERS

STETSON

WRIGHT PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 7 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 7 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $620,256 AGE: 24 MEMBER SINCE: 2018 HOMETOWN: BEARVER, UT

#1 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

31


PRCA BULL RIDERS

KY

HAMILTON PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 3 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $254,165 AGE: 23 MEMBER SINCE: 2019 HOMETOWN: MACKAY, QL

#2 32

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA BULL RIDERS

JOSH

FROST PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 3 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $236,887 AGE: 28 MEMBER SINCE: 2015 HOMETOWN: RANDLETT, UT

#3 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

33


INSIDE THE PBR

How The Texas Rattlers

SNAKED

Their Way To A 2023 PBR Team Series Title

34

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

PBR CAMPING WORLD TEAM SERIES ROUND-UP

T

he 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series Championship was a showdown of the best in rigor and athleticism as the best bull riders in the world participated in the PBR’s secondever officially sanctioned team-based, scored series event. The action went down from Oct. 20-22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and audiences were on edge the whole time as they bore witnesses to upsets and underdog success stories that ultimately led the Texas Rattlers to their first championship title. The PBR Camping World Team Series Championship is a progressive elimination tournament that marks the culmination of the annual PBR Team Series tour. In 2023, the eight participating teams were the Arizona Ridge Riders, Austin Gamblers, Carolina Cowboys, Kansas City Outlaws, Missouri Thunder, Nashville Stampede, Oklahoma Freedom, and Texas Rattlers. However, the PBR recently announced that the Oklahoma Freedom is set to rebrand as the Florida Freedom, with the team’s inaugural homestead event taking place at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, in August 2024.

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

35


INSIDE THE PBR The series features the best bull riders in the world, with teams comprised of seven “protected roster” riders and up to five “reserve roster” team members. Throughout the Team Series regular season, teams participate in five-onfive, head-to-head events. In each game, the team with the highest aggregate score from its five riders is deemed the winner. The team with the most game wins across one of the regular-season events claims the honor of being named the overall event winner. In the event of a tie, the teams engage in extra outs to decide the winner. However, the finale event operates slightly differently. The event features the same 5-on-5 format as the events leading up to the tournament, with two teams eliminated each day. The first two rounds of competition on the first two nights of the event include a three-way Last Chance Game for teams that lost their game earlier in the night. The teams with the highest aggregate score on five outs in the Last Chance event then move on to the next round of competition, with the other two being eliminated from the series. The top two teams in the series earned byes leading into the finale, which means they did not have to compete in the initial round of qualifying events as the others duked it out and clawed their way into the following round. The Gamblers led the pack as they entered championship weekend, with the Kansas City Outlaws tailing them in second place.

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

36

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media


Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

The Gamblers gave it their all through the regular season. By the end of the regular season events, the Gamblers’ Jose Vitor Leme had secured his second consecutive PBR Teams season MVP title and a $100,000 prize, edging out the Outlaws’ Cassio Dias. Leme went an impressive 23-for32 (71%) throughout the season, continuing an impressive run throughout 2023 that saw him earn the reserve world champion title in the PBR Unleash the Beast tour. En route to the finals, the number one-seeded Gamblers earned the record for the most regular-season wins with 19. However, the championship events matter most in this series, and until the last bull is ridden, it can still be anyone’s game. Last year’s events saw a stunning underdog

race to the top from the Nashville Stampede, who bested the front-running Gamblers to claim the 2022 PBR Team Series Championship title. This year, all eyes remained on the Gamblers to see if they could claim the top spot they’d earned throughout the season or if they would once again be knocked from their place at the top of the rankings due to exceptional runs from opposing teams. For this year’s event, the Texas Rattlers, led by Head Coach Cody Lambert, ultimately reigned supreme. The team earned the title of PBR Teams Series 2023 Champions, emerging from a third-place finish during the 2022 season. The Rattlers secured a third-place finish in 2022, and they headed to the 2023 PBR Teams Championship at rank number three. Throughout the season, the team scored event wins at two events, going 2-1 in Ridgedale, Missouri and winning during extra outs, and also winning the team’s homestead event during the PBR Rattler Days at Dickies Arena to mark its second consecutive homestead season win.

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

37


INSIDE THE PBR

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

On the opening night of the championship, the Rattlers faced the Thunder, taking the lead due to a gamehigh score from Joao Ricardo Vieira that led them to victory with a final point score of 174-84.5. Although the Thunder, which had entered the playoffs in the bottom seed, didn’t take this win, the team managed to eliminate four teams throughout the playoffs for a solid redemption arc and the chance to compete for a top spot on Championship Sunday, though they couldn’t quite pull off the win. During the Rattlers’ next round, they took on the Freedom and secured an early lead with another successful ride from Vieira, followed by a second score of 86.25 from Eli Vastbinder. This led to a one-ride score advantage for a final point score of 170.75-87, securing the team’s place in the semifinals. For the semifinal events, qualified rides from Brady Fielder and Vieira meant the Rattlers easily bested the Arizona Ridge Riders. This would bring the Rattlers into their championship matchup, where they faced their topseeded and fellow Texas-based rivals, the Gamblers. 38

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

In round one of the five-on-five matchup against the competing Texas team, Vieira immediately secured the team an 88.75-point lead on Outlaw, which Brady Fielder grew to a total of 87.25 points atop Ah Hell. It would remain close, however, and a third ride from Cody Jesus on Tijuana TwoStep for 88.75 would make for a dramatic final round. Entering the fifth and final round already a ride ahead of the Gamblers, the crowd erupted when closer Daniel Keeping rode Red River for a whopping 90.5 points, the best of the game. Since no score from the Gambler’s would be enough to put them in the lead, the team’s efforts were futile as the Rattlers had already netted the win with a score that ultimately clocked in at 355.25 – 265.25.


Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

39


INSIDE THE PBR

Notably, the Gamblers’ Dalton Kasel was out for the event, so it’s impossible to know how the team would have managed had one of their star protected riders been able to participate in the action. But the Rattlers weren’t the only team to engage in some impressive feats. While the Ridge Riders, who earned the reserve title in 2022, wouldn’t have a seat at the final table, they established a monumental win over the Thunder to score a 344.75-0 with four rides to the Thunder’s zero. The Ridge Riders’ Eduardo Aparecido proved he’s a force to be reckoned with after his 3-for-4 overall weekend led him to a grand total of 7-for-8 all-time in PBR Teams playoff competition after the two years of finals competitions. All in all, the team series events are gaining traction among rodeo fans. According to Neilsen, the Team Series boasted more than one million viewers per CBS broadcast, while event attendance was up 24 percent over the initial season. Team Series events will pause once again as the Unleash the Beast gets back in action. However, PBR fans can look forward to more blood, sweat, and tears in the PBR Team Series when it returns in July 2024, with next year’s finale event set to occur in October. •

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

40

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3



PBR TEAMS PROFILES

ROSTER:

Cody Jesus Joao Ricardo Vieira Brady Oleson Braidy Randolph Daniel Keeping Creek Young Dawson Gleaves Brady Fielder 42

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

TEAM STATS

#1 TEXAS RATTLERS

Photo: Andre Silva / Bull Stock Media

RECORD: 4-0 RIDES-OUTS: 10-20 RIDE PERCENTAGE: 50 RIDER WINNINGS: $566,00 TEAM WINNINGS: $400,000


PBR TEAMS PROFILES

#2 AUSTIN GAMBLERS

ROSTER:

Jose Vitor Leme Austin Richardson Lucas Divino Ezekiel Mitchell Ramon de Lima Dalton Kasel Adriano Salgado

TEAM STATS

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

RECORD: 2-1-0 RIDES-OUTS: 8.15 RIDE PERCENTAGE: 53.3 RIDER WINNINGS: $261,499 TEAM WINNINGS: $250,000

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

43


PBR TEAMS PROFILES

#3 ARIZONA RIDGE RIDERS

ROSTER:

Luciano De Castro Eduardo Aparecido Chase Dougherty Vitor Losnake Keyshawn Whitehorse Clten Fritzlan Jeff Askey

44

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

TEAM STATS

Photo: Andre Silva / Bull Stock Media

RECORD: 3-1-0 RIDES-OUTS: 10-20 RIDE PERCENTAGE: 50 RIDER WINNINGS: $154,000 TEAM WINNINGS: $200,000


PBR TEAMS PROFILES

#4 MISSOURI THUNDER

ROSTER:

Andrew Alvidrez Marcelo Pereira Luke Parkinson Joao Lucas Campos Kade Madsen Eduardo Matos Felipe Furlan Andy Bohl

TEAM STATS

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

RECORD: 2-4-0 RIDES-OUTS: 9-30 RIDE PERCENTAGE: 30 RIDER WINNINGS: $99,499 TEAM WINNINGS: $150,000

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

45


PBR TEAMS PROFILES

ROSTER: Kyler Oliver Bob Mitchell

Marcus Mast Koltin Hevalow Cassio Dias Leonardo Ferreira Wingson da Silva

46

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

TEAM STATS

#5 KC OUTLAWS

Photo: Josh Homer / Bull Stock Media

RECORD: 0-2-0 RIDES-OUTS: 3-10 RIDE PERCENTAGE: 30 RIDER WINNINGS: $42,500 TEAM WINNINGS: $140,000


PBR TEAMS PROFILES

ROSTER: Tate Pollmeier Eli Vastbinder

Derek Kolbaba Chase Outlaw Briggs Madsen Casey Roberts Brady Turgeon Elizar Jeremias

TEAM STATS

#6 OKLAHOMA FREEDOM

RECORD: 1-2-0 RIDES-OUTS: 6-15 RIDE PERCENTAGE: 40 RIDER WINNINGS: $47,500 TEAM WINNINGS: $130,00

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

47


PBR TEAMS PROFILES

#7 CAROLINA COWBOYS

ROSTER:

Sandro Batista Daylon Swearingen Boudreaux Campbell Cooper Davis Sage Kimzey Josh Frost Daniel Feitosa Trey Kimzey 48

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

TEAM STATS

Photo: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media

RECORD: 0-2-0 RIDES-OUTS: 4-10 RIDE PERCENTAGE: 40 RIDER WINNINGS: $36,000 TEAM WINNINGS: $120,000


PBR TEAMS PROFILES

#8 NASHVILLE STAMPEDE

ROSTER: Kaique Pacheco Dener Barbosa

Mason Taylor Ednelio Almeida Silvano Alves Kaiden Loud Bruno Carvalho Jess Lockwood

TEAM STATS

Photo: Josh Homer / Bull Stock Media

RECORD: 0-2-0 RIDES-OUTS: 4-10 RIDE PERCENTAGE: 34 RIDER WINNINGS: $34,000 TEAM WINNINGS: $144,000

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

49


PRCA FEATURE

O R P K C A B E R A B Y R A D N LEGE

T A H S I H P U S G N HA 50

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


Photo: Alexander Connor

Photo: Clay Guadaripee

THE SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION SURPRISED THE RODEO WORLD WITH HIS ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE NO SPIN RODEO RADIO SHOW.

I

t’s hard to imagine a National Finals Rodeo (NFR) without Kaycee Feild. The 36-year-old bareback rider has qualified for rodeo’s main event a staggering 13 times, amassing six world champion titles and the distinction of being one of the greatest bareback riders ever. But, the legendary PRCA pro fell slightly short this year after competing in fewer than 30 rodeos in 2023, narrowly missing the opportunity to qualify for the NFR by finishing the season in 16h place. Less than $1,700 stood between him and the top 15 ranking that would have earned him the qualifying spot. While the news sent out a shockwave through the rodeo community, it also marks a natural endpoint to a remarkable career. It was not an easy choice for Feild, but nothing lasts forever, and Feild decided it was finally time to hang up his hat and move on to new endeavors. “I learned a lot about who I am and what I was about over the season, staying strong to how I wanted to start the season, and how I saw my season going,” Feild shared as he announced his retirement on No Spin Rodeo on Oct. 31. He then confirmed the news on Instagram and Facebook.

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

51


PRCA FEATURE

Photo: Christopher Thompson

“I’m excited to apply the tools I’ve gathered from all of my time and experiences with rodeo to ventures outside of the arena,” Feild shared. The fact that the Genola, Utah-based bareback rider didn’t qualify for this year’s NFR doesn’t detract from the cowboy’s staggering list of accomplishments. Feild’s career earnings clock in at more than $3.3 million, and he’s only one of eight PRCA pros ever to pass the $3 million earnings mark. He also boasts a record 29 Go-Round wins at the NFR. Those achievements are a testament to his passion for bareback, which amounts to a family tradition. Feild is the son of five-time PRCA world champion and ProRodeo Hall of Famer Lewis Feild, who won all-around titles from 1985-87 and bareback riding titles from 1985-86. That family heritage would make for some tough boots to fill in the rodeo world, but the younger Feild’s hard work and dedication would be more than enough to allow him to cement his distinct legacy while honoring the family name. His storied PRCA career dates back to 2007, when he first joined the organization and embarked on a 16-year journey that would solidify his status as one of the greats. After solidifying his PRCA membership, it took no time for Feild to establish himself among his peers. That year, he finished second in the standings among rookie bareback riders, with notable wins at the Salmon (Idaho) Stampede PRCA Rodeo and the Walla Walla (Wash.) Fair & Frontier Days. Feild won the College National Finals Rodeo the following year and finished eighth in the PRCA bareback world standings with payouts totaling $127,904. 52

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT WHO I AM AND WHAT I WAS ABOUT OVER THE SEASON, STAYING STRONG TO HOW I WANTED TO START THE SEASON, AND HOW I SAW MY SEASON GOING. -KAYCEE FEILD


Photo: David Thomas

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

53


PRCA FEATURE Photo: Alaina Stangle

I’M EXCITED TO APPLY THE TOOLS I’VE GATHERED FROM ALL OF MY TIME AND EXPERIENCES WITH RODEO... -KAYCEE FEILD His career would only progress from there. He finished third in the world standings in 2009 and fifth in 2010. Then, in 2011, Feild earned his first world champion title, partly due to a show-stopping performance at the NFR. There, he won a record six rounds, setting the average record with 860.5 points on ten head. He also won that year’s RAM Top Gun Award with his single-event NFR record of $179,327, culminating in the highest season total ever for a bareback rider with total earnings of $319,986. 54

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

By 2012, he would win another world champion title with $276,850 and another NFR average title. The following year, he won his third consecutive world champion title and claimed the NFR average title yet again, becoming the first man in ProRodeo history to win three successive world titles while also winning the NFR average title. In 2014, he permanently etched his name into rodeo’s history books by claiming his fourth consecutive world champion and NFR average titles. This would also make him only the second


CAREER STATS WOLRD TITLES: 6 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 13 PRCA EARNINGS: $3,380,594 AGE: 36 MEMBER SINCE: 2007 HOMETOWN: GENOLA, UT

cowboy in history to earn four consecutive world champion titles, the other being team roper Leo Camarillo, a team roper header who won from 1968-71. In 2015, Feild again made his way to the NFR, placing second in the average. Before that year’s NFR, Feild had joined other rodeo competitors in launching the Elite Rodeo Athletes (ERA). This short-lived competitive circuit was intended to offer higher payouts to rodeo athletes. The vision was to allow rodeo athletes to earn more

money while competing in fewer events throughout the year, allowing them to expand their careers due to fewer chances of injuries or burnout from competing in up to 90 rodeo events per year. However, the PRCA changed its bylaws to prevent its members from owning shares in ERA and ultimately denied Feild PRCA membership for 2016. ERA went out of business after a single season, and Feild returned to the PRCA to earn 30th in the standings in 2017 and seventh in 2018.

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

55


PRCA FEATURE Photo: Phil Doyle

He then faced a major career challenge in 2019 after sustaining a head injury at the finals at Rodeo Austin. The incident left him unconscious, though the ill-fated ride still helped him take second place in the event. His injuries from the incident included a fractured eye socket, nasal cavity, jaw, and skull. He also suffered some brain bleeding and spent the next two months in bed. However, the initially life-threatening injuries wouldn’t keep him down, and he was back on the rodeo circuit within a few short months and closed out the year sixth in the standings with $232,320. In 2020, a reride decision on his first horse in Round 10 of the NFR culminated in a 91-point ride on Junior Bonner, ultimately winning him the round and another world champion title. He again claimed the top spot in the standings in 2021, culminating in a record six bareback gold buckles. Although he finished only second in the average that year, his NFR earnings also won him the RAM Top Gun Award for a second time due to $231,564 in earnings at the event. He closed out the year with $357,420. In 2022, he was the reserve world champion, second to Jess Pope. This year may have marked an initial move toward retirement. In spite of placing second in the world rankings, he’d earned his way to the NFR while having competed in fewer than 30 PRCA events in 2022, compared to more than 50 in 2021. His trend toward spending less time on the road would continue in 2023, which likely contributed to his failure to qualify for the NFR in his final year on the circuit.

Perhaps news of his retirement is bittersweet to some, but if anyone has earned the opportunity to say they gave it their all, it’s Feild. He’s claimed the right to be known as one of the greatest riders not only in bareback history but in the entire history of the PRCA. It’s a given that he’ll also be honored as a Hall of Famer one day. And while he may never ride professionally again, he’ll undoubtedly continue to make his mark as a revered member of the Western community in whatever he chooses to do next. There’s a whole new world ahead for Feild, and if he can put half as much into it as he’s put into his rodeo career, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to accomplish amazing things.•

56

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


Natural • Sustainable • Cruelty Free


PRCA TEAM ROPING HEADERS

KALEB

DRIGGERS PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 2 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 10 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $160,145 AGE: 33 MEMBER SINCE: 2008 HOMETOWN: HOBOKEN, GA

#1 58

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA TEAM ROPING HEADERS

TYLER

WADE PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 5 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $154,926 AGE: 31 MEMBER SINCE: 2011 HOMETOWN: TERRELL, TX

#2 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

59


PRCA TEAM ROPING HEADERS

NELSON

WYATT PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 1 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $149,361 AGE: 30 MEMBER SINCE: 2016 HOMETOWN: CLANTON, AL

#3 60

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA TEAM ROPING HEELERS

WESLEY

THORP PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 1 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 7 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $172,153 AGE: 28 MEMBER SINCE: 2014 HOMETOWN: THROCKMORTON, TX

#1 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

61


PRCA TEAM ROPING HEELERS

JUNIOR

NOGUEIRA PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 3 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 9 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $160,145 AGE: 33 MEMBER SINCE: 2014 HOMETOWN: PRESIDENTE PRUDENTE, SP

#2 62

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA TEAM ROPING HEELERS

COLTER

TODD PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 3 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $153,283 AGE: 39 MEMBER SINCE: 2003 HOMETOWN: WILCOX, AZ

#3 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

63


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE Photo by Kellie Oliver

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY

SEEKS TO ROPE IN THE NATION’S BEST YOUNG RODEO ATHLETES WITH ITS STATE-OF-THE-ART RODEO ARENA

With rodeo more popular than ever, collegiate rodeo programs consistently find new ways to attract the best young rodeo talent to help foster fun, exciting, and vibrant rodeo communities and give students the best chance to hone their skills while retaining focus on academic pursuits.

64

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


W

ith these goals in mind, Sam Houston State University (SHSU), located in Huntsville, Texas, recently opened the doors to its all-new, state-of-the-art rodeo arena to the public for the first time. The Sonny Sikes Arena honors a long tradition of rodeo sports while giving students and visitors access to best-in-class facilities to master their craft. The arena marks a significant investment in the future of SHSU’s 70-year-old rodeo program, spawning some of the top athletes in rodeo sports throughout its long history. The arena honors Sonny Sikes, a rodeo athlete and SHSU student who earned four collegiate world champion titles and spent many years helping to lead the SHSU rodeo program to greatness. He served the school as an agriculture professor and was SHSU’s rodeo coach for over 40 years. Sikes and his wife, Joanne, also worked with the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) for 18 years.

Arena attendees can expect to find a spacious competition area, including a covered grandstand with more than 2,000 seats for spectators, along with a modern bucking chute and cattle pens. People are publicly praising the arena for its immaculate design, well-kept facilities, and vibrant atmosphere that puts the exciting world of collegiate rodeo front and center.

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

65


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE The school announced the new facility publicly in October and hosted the first public rodeo event on November 11 and 12. The kick-off proved to be quite the rodeo extravaganza. Those who couldn’t attend in person could catch a glimpse of the festivities on The Cowboy Channel, as it aired the celebration to a national audience. The masterful event showcased professionalism on par with some of the best rodeo events in the country. Fans enthusiastically cheered on famed rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus, whose talents generated unbridled enthusiasm among the boisterous crowd. Boyd’s pedigree includes leading the charge at major events, including the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and RodeoHouston. Attendees also witnessed the magic of trick rider Jessica Blair Fowlkes, whose dazzling performances involve standing upright while guiding two horses around fiery obstacles and over hurdles set ablaze.

Spectators also saw a top-of-the-line pyrotechnic and laser experience, which many rodeo fans will only ever experience at the nation’s biggest rodeos. And, of course, there was also all the action of their favorite collegiate rodeo events, which included all the classics such as bull riding, team roping, and barrel racing competitions. All in all, it was an excellent event for SHSU’s rodeo team on their newly minted home turf as the Bearkats’ men’s team took home the champion title, and the women’s team earned the reserve champion distinction. The rodeo arena is part of a multi-million-dollar effort to develop the Gibbs Ranch area of the campus. Businessman W.S. Gibbs once owned the land, but the university was gifted the land via a deed in 1993. Additional development efforts on the land include the recent opening of the Gibbs Ranch Equestrian Facility & Agriculture Labs, designed 66

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

67


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

as a beacon for research and knowledge for all involved with the SHSU School of Agriculture Sciences. SHSU is already known as one of the best agriculture schools in the country, and the facility is sure to cement its status as an elite agriculture college given its modern equipment and emphasis on science-backed techniques. Alums and community support continue to fund the initiative and its all-new advanced laboratory facilities, cooperative work areas, and fully-equipped greenhouses that help support the school’s breadth of research and development programs. 68

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3

The new rodeo arena represents a move from the SHSU rodeo team’s decade-long home in Conroe, where the school’s ropers and riders previously hosted events due to a lack of suitable facilities in the Huntsville area. As rodeo continues to skyrocket in popularity, collegiate rodeo programs must strive to find new ways to attract the brightest and most promising young athletes to their schools. The arena and additional facilities stand to not only attract the most dedicated young rodeo athletes to the school but also to encourage the student body and the community to engage more directly with rodeo sports. Ultimately, having a home base for rodeo in Huntsville will cultivate even stronger bonds between the school, the local community, and rodeo enthusiasts throughout the region.


While the arena primarily serves as a modern rodeo facility, it will also be an asset to the broader Huntsville community as a place where locals can attend events such as concerts, festivals, and other large public gatherings. The arena reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to the excellence of its academic programs and its student body. Without question, the school’s investment in these facilities provides the resources and training needed to lead the next generation of PRCA and WPRCA athletes. The SHSU Rodeo Team, led by coach Edward “Bubba” Miller, has a legacy of excellence in NIRA-sanctioned events. The rodeo program fosters a sense of community and academic excellence, rewarding the riders for their efforts inside the arena and in the classroom.

2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

69


EXCLUSIVE FEATURE Many SHSU rodeo team graduates have succeeded in their professional careers, a testament to the hard work and drive each team member puts into their discipline. However, with the new facility, the powerhouse team has even more resources to lead the pack in every rodeo sport. Colleges looking to invest heavily in rodeo should pay attention, as it will be difficult for the nation’s best ropers and riders to turn down a chance to attend SHSU and train under such a remarkable dedicated space. These facilities are only the latest investment in the ongoing growth of the school’s dedicated rodeo program. In 2022, the school announced it would form a SHSU Rodeo Hall of Champions, located in the future Agricultural Sciences Complex at Gibbs Ranch, and would also fund the Rodeo Hall of Champions Scholarship Endowment. The endowment seeks to provide funding for scholarships to recruit the most talented students to the rodeo team and continue a long-standing winning tradition. SHSU’s Sonny Sikes Arena is located at 1143 SH 75 N. Huntsville, TX 77320. Rodeo fans can find out more about upcoming events at www.shsu.edu/gibbs-ranch/rodeo.

70

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


FOLLOW US ONLINE @americanbucklemagazine

www.americanbucklemagazine.com


WPRA BARREL RACERS

BRITTANY POZZI

TONOZZI WPRA STATS WORLD TITLES: 2 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 17 2023 WPRA EARNINGS: $270,563 BORN: FEBRUARY 9TH, 1984 MEMBER SINCE: 2003 HOMETOWN: LAMPASAS, TX

#1 72

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


WPRA BARREL RACERS

JORDAN

BRIGGS WPRA STATS WORLD TITLES: 1 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 4 2023 WPRA EARNINGS: $160,824 BORN: AUGUST 9TH, 1988 MEMBER SINCE: 2007 HOMETOWN: TOLAR, TX

#2 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

73


WPRA BARREL RACERS

EMILY MILLER

BEISEL WPRA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 5 2023 WPRA EARNINGS: $158,752 BORN: JUNE 17TH, 1992 MEMBER SINCE: 2013 HOMETOWN: WEATHERFORD, OK

#3 74

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


WPRA BREAKAWAY ROPERS

SHELBY

BOISJOLI WPRA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 4 2023 WPRA EARNINGS: $164,549 BORN: JUNE 19TH, 1998 MEMBER SINCE: 2020 HOMETOWN: STEPHENVILLE, TX

#1 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

75


WPRA BREAKAWAY ROPERS

HALI

WILLIAMS WPRA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 1 2023 WPRA EARNINGS: $146,743 BORN: DECEMBER 14TH, 2003 MEMBER SINCE: 2022 HOMETOWN: COMANCHE, TX

#2 76

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


WPRA BREAKAWAY ROPERS

MARTHA

ANGELONE WPRA STATS WORLD TITLES: 1 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 3 2023 WPRA EARNINGS: $132,865 BORN: MAY 13TH, 1995 MEMBER SINCE: 2018 HOMETOWN: STEPHENVILLE, TX

#3 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

77


PRCA SADDLE BRONC RIDERS

STETSON

WRIGHT PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 7 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 7 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $620,256 AGE: 24 MEMBER SINCE: 2018 HOMETOWN: BEARVER, UT

#1 78

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA SADDLE BRONC RIDERS

SAGE

NEWMAN PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 2 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $247,264 AGE: 25 MEMBER SINCE: 2017 HOMETOWN: MELSTONE, MT

#2 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

79


PRCA SADDLE BRONC RIDERS

KADE

BRUNO PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 1 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $225,259 AGE: 23 MEMBER SINCE: 2020 HOMETOWN: CHALLIS, ID

#3 80

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3


PRCA STEER WRESTLERS

DALTON

MASSEY PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 0 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $193,430 AGE: 30 MEMBER SINCE: 2014 HOMETOWN: HERMISTON, OR

#1 2023 VOLUME 3 | ABM

81


PRCA STEER WRESTLERS

JESSE

BROWN PRCA STATS WORLD TITLES: 0 NFR QUALIFICATIONS: 3 2023 PRCA EARNINGS: $161,613 AGE: 31 MEMBER SINCE: 2016 HOMETOWN: BAKER CITY, OR

#2 82

ABM | 2023 VOLUME 3



UNTAMED. UNLIMITED. UNLIKE ANYWHERE ELSE. CodyYellowstone.Org

/CodyYellowstone

/CodyYellowstone


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.